I'm a 36 yr old mother of 3 5' 5" 126 lbs who has been going to the gym for about 6 months or so. My resting heart rate is between 70/90 (sitting on the couch/ sitting at work) This is the first time I've excerised consistantly. My starting heart rate on the treadmill is usually 120 (I climb stairs to get there) By the time I've walked for 5 minutes my rate is in the 130-140s at 3.5 mph on level 2 with random setting. If I go any faster say 4 mph at the same intensity level my hr will go up in the 160s and stays there. I haven't pushed harder than that do to my rate being higher (than normal?) but recover within the 5 minute cool down back in the 120s or < . I do have a few other symptoms (sore throat, mild sob) they go away after slowing down because of this I had an EKG that was normal. I don't know what's going on. The doctor told me she didn't think anything was wrong but would send me for a stress test to make sure...isn't that what I'm doing on the treadmill already? What would be helpful for me to chart?

FROM OUR EXPERTS

A stress test would be more intense that what you are currently doing on the treadmill. During the stress test you'd push yourself further and the actions of the heart would be monitored.

To get in shape I recommend having at least one appointment with a personal trainer. They can assess where you're currently at, your goal, and then outline a plan for how you can achieve your goal within a time frame.

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